This course is fundamental to understanding nuclear fuel processing, nuclear fuel chemical behavior in a reactor, processing of nuclear waste forms, and the stability of nuclear waste in storage.More broadly thermodynamics provides a powerful framework for determining material properties and for understanding physical and chemical behavior and transformations over a wide range of technologies.It is an exceptionally practical tool for predicting reactions and phase equilibria, and predicting materials performance, particularly at high temperatures and in electrochemical systems.The course covers the underlying principles of chemical thermodynamics to provide a foundation for understanding practical applications.The use of the chemical thermodynamics in solving problems of reactions and determining phase equilibria is emphasized, with examples in common commercial processes.In addition, practical training in the use of the software packages for computing thermochemical behavior, such as FactSageÒ is provided.It is used in the course to address complex, real world problems providing the student with exceptionally practical skills in applying thermodynamics in research and industrial settings.

Identification of provisions for student-professor or student-student interaction:
On-campus students can visit the professor on campus; off-campus distance education students can meet professor on campus if willing to travel. Professor will be available to all students via telephone and email. Videoconferencing is available for review/question sessions based on student interest and by feedback on assignments.
Identification of provisions for student-student interaction:
On campus students may interact and discuss in person. No blogs, Facebook pages, chat rooms or other virtual meeting places are provided.
Identification of provisions for student-content interaction:
Students will interact in live recorded classes and with recorded lectures streamed from Blackboard or the APOGEE website. Students will interact with the text book and other assigned reading. Students will interact with the homework, quiz, and term paper assignments; this would include library research as well and so interaction with multiple methods for query and sources of information. Students will interact with seminars and seminar speakers with the opportunity to engage with subject matter experts. These are recorded for streaming and available to distance education students. Follow up questions can be submitted via email or through direct contact with the instructor. All presentation materials are posted to Blackboard. As part of the course the students will use a chemical thermodynamics computational package accessed through a USC server (see course syllabus for details of this interaction).

Justification for Distance Delivery

Justification:

Two-thirds of the graduate students matriculating in the Nuclear Engineering degree program are working professionals working in the industry or national laboratories. Distance delivery of nuclear engineering courses supports professionals seeking to move into Nuclear Engineering related positions. The interactions with working professionals in the distance education also benefits the on campus students in their research through enhanced understand of the applications to the field.

The proposal is being returned for minor revisions. Please make the suggested changes and resubmit the proposal by Friday April 14 for consideration at this month's Graduate Council Meeting.

1. Consider a rephrasing of the Bulletin Description to:

Chemical thermodynamics provides a foundation for understanding practical applications; use of chemical thermodynamics in solving problems of reactions and phase equilibria will be emphasized, with examples in common commercial processes.

2. In the syllabus, re-label course objectives as "Learning Outcomes" and phrase with action verbs surrounding what the students who successfully complete this course will be able to do (rather than what the instructor will do/cover), using action verbs.

underlying principles of chemical thermodynamics to provide a foundation for understanding practical applications; use of chemical thermodynamics in solving problems of reactions and phase equilibria will be emphasized, with examples in common commercial processes

Current Syllabus

Chemical thermodynamics provides a foundation for understanding practical applications; use of chemical thermodynamics in solving problems of reactions and phase equilibria will be emphasized, with examples in common commercial processes.